Friday, Feb. 16 (D-3)

We shoved off today, had GQ at night. Only 3 more days and we’ll be slugging it out with the Japs. Hope they have them all killed off the island long before we get there. We may have trouble with aircraft as the island is only 600 miles from Tokyo itself. Saw a map today of our route up to Iwo Jima, 660 miles distance and it showed a Task Force hitting at Tokyo itself at the same or about the same time as we hit the island. Also heard, and it seems to be true, that we go to Espirito Santos, New Hebrides, after this to dislodge the casualties and pick up the Army, but then where to we can’t tell. One of the fellows I had in my class up at Farragut is on an ARS 33 and anchored a little ways from us. He called by blinker light today and said hello. They too will be with us. Am anxious to get this over with, don’t feel a bit scared yet. Things will probably be different in two days from now.

Saturday, Feb. 17 (D-2)

At sea. Troops getting ready for D Day, they are having church services about twice a day, both for Protestants and Catholics. We have had a couple of sub contacts by our screening vessels, but nothing more. A task group near us reported enemy aircraft, we went to general quarters but soon got the flash white.

Sunday, Feb. 18 (D-1)

One day out. Went to church this morning and took communion. Troops about all set for tomorrow. About 3:00 P.M. this afternoon was on radio watch and the commodore thought he saw a sub conning tower in the water, I reported it by radio, but then they saw it was a small boat dispatched from another ship. We arrive in the transport area off the island tomorrow morning at 0615 - H hour is at 0900. Reveille at 0330 in the morning, then we go to 1A at 0600 and will probably remain there for the next 3 or 4 days. Is getting stormy tonight, a high wind and the water is beginning to kick up. No sign of an air raid yet.